Following a tragic mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that resulted in two children dead and several others wounded, Minnesota leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General Keith Ellison, are advocating for stronger gun control measures. Frey emphasizes local action and the need for cities to have the authority to implement safety measures, while Ellison highlights the importance of federal legislation like an assault weapons ban and other regulatory efforts to prevent such tragedies. The incident has reignited debates over gun laws in the U.S.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams provided details on a deadly Midtown shooting, describing it as a targeted act involving a shooter who drove from Nevada, leaving a note referencing CTE. The incident resulted in four deaths and one injury, prompting calls for stricter gun control and highlighting the importance of security measures. Investigations are ongoing into the shooter's motives and weapon sources.
The Massachusetts Senate overwhelmingly passed the "SAFER Act" gun reform bill by a 37 to 3 vote, focusing on "ghost guns" and implementing measures such as serialization of gun parts and a ban on Glock switches. The Gun Owners Action League expressed frustration, while State Sen. John Velis added an amendment to keep gun offenders in jail until trial. The bill now requires reconciliation with the state House of Representatives' version before being presented to Gov. Maura Healey.
The Massachusetts State Senate has passed the SAFER Act, an expansive gun reform legislation, with a vote of 37-3. The bill includes updates to laws for ghost guns, assault weapons ban, and red flag laws, as well as bans on devices converting semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns. The House and Senate versions will need reconciliation, and despite having the lowest rate of gun deaths in the country, Massachusetts aims to address gun violence, which disproportionately impacts Black youth.
Governor Janet Mills praised Mainers for their resilience and resolve in her State of the State address, outlining plans to invest in improved infrastructure to address vulnerabilities to extreme weather and proposing legislation aimed at addressing gun violence and mental health issues in the state. The proposals include establishing an Injury and Violence Prevention Program, strengthening the mental health system, and prohibiting dangerous individuals from possessing weapons. While some Democratic leaders applauded the proposals, some lawmakers and advocates are hoping for more comprehensive measures, while Republican lawmakers express concerns about potential impacts on gun owners' rights.
Senator Angus King of Maine has proposed the "GOSAFE" Act, a gun reform legislation aimed at restricting the lethality of firearms used in mass shootings. The bill includes measures such as creating a list of prohibited gas-operated semi-automatic firearms, implementing a voluntary buy-back program, banning devices like bump stocks, and limiting ammunition capacity. King emphasizes that the goal is not to take away guns but to slow down shooters during reloading, giving people a chance to fight back or escape. While some Mainers support the proposed reforms, others express concerns about their effectiveness. Republican co-sponsors for the bill have not yet been secured, but Senator Susan Collins has stated that she will carefully consider it.
On what would have been George Floyd's 50th birthday, President Biden reiterated his commitment to fighting gun violence and called for Congress to pass meaningful police reform. While legislation with Floyd's namesake, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, is currently stalled in the House, Biden signed an executive order implementing some elements of the bill. He urged Congress to act and emphasized the need for real and lasting change at the state and local levels. Biden has been a staunch supporter of gun reform in policing and previously established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Ahead of a special session in Tennessee, the push for gun reform has gained momentum and spread across the state. Thousands of Tennesseans, including retirees, young professionals, and mothers, have mobilized to advocate for change following the March shooting deaths of three third graders and three staff members at The Covenant School in Nashville. Public polling shows support for additional gun regulations, such as tightened background checks and a red flag law. However, there are concerns that politically entrenched camps at the state Capitol do not reflect the more nuanced views found across the state. Despite the challenges, advocates are determined to continue their efforts and see the special session as just the beginning of their fight for gun reform.
Starting Monday, a new gun reform law in Colorado will prohibit people under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms, with exceptions for certain groups. Local gun shops and shooting ranges express concerns about the law's impact on individuals' ability to protect themselves, while gun groups, including the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, have filed lawsuits arguing that the law is unconstitutional. Supporters of the legislation argue that it is meant to protect young people and improve public safety by limiting access to guns.
One year after the Uvalde shooting, parents of the 19 children and two teachers killed are still grappling with unrelenting grief and unanswered questions. Some have turned their anger into political action, advocating for gun reform and tougher laws. Others have retreated into increasingly insular worlds, building makeshift memorials to honor their loved ones. Despite the outpouring of support in the aftermath of the shooting, many parents feel abandoned by the school district and law enforcement officials. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that the world never forgets their children and their potential.
The city of Buffalo will commemorate the first anniversary of a mass shooting that killed 10 people and injured three others at a city supermarket. The racially motivated attack targeted Black people. The commemoration will include a moment of silence followed by the chiming of church bells. Relatives of the victims have spoken before Congress about white supremacy and gun reform and organized events to address food insecurity that worsened when the neighborhood’s only grocery store was inaccessible for two months. A hand-painted mural overlooking the parking lot promotes unity, with a Black hand and white hand meeting together in prayer.
Brett Cross, father of a child killed in the Uvalde mass shooting, was kicked out of the Texas State Capitol for protesting after a gun reform proposal was left off the agenda. The bill, which proposed to raise the age requirement to buy semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 in the state, had been advanced earlier this week after two Republicans joined Democrats in its favour in a shocking move. The bill’s deadline to be heard before this legislature session wraps up is on Thursday. However, a mandatory 36-hour scheduling window was missed when legislators failed to add it to the agenda by 10pm on Tuesday.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has called for a special legislative session on August 21 to discuss gun reform and public safety following a school shooting in Nashville last month. Lee plans to meet with legislators, stakeholders, and local residents throughout the summer to discuss practical solutions ahead of the session. The governor hopes to pass legislation that will strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights. The shooting has renewed calls for action against gun violence and gun control in the country.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has called for a special session on August 21 to discuss potential gun reform legislation. The governor's proposal would expand existing state code around gun dispossession, which courts can currently require of certain domestic violence cases. Lee pushed for the legislation following the deadly Covenant school shooting and weeks of heated gun reform protests at the state Capitol. The governor had for weeks called for lawmakers to bring him potential gun reform legislation before floating his own proposal as Republican lawmakers accelerated the end of session after weeks of emotional protests and political missteps.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law three gun reform bills, including an assault weapons ban, making Washington the 10th state to ban assault-style weapons such as the AR-15 and AK-47. The ban includes more than 50 gun models, and existing legal owners can retain their assault weapons. The other two bills mandate new gun owners to complete a training course on gun safety and clarify legal liabilities for gun manufacturers. Inslee cited the reduction of gun deaths in Washington state from 2018 to 2021 as evidence to move reforms forward.
